Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Joseph
Costa
May 7, 1925

–

August 6, 2013

Born:

Detroit

, 

Michigan

Home:

Detroit

, 

Michigan

Buried: 

West Point

, 

New York

Cemetery:

U.S. Military Academy Post Cemetery

John Costa was commissioned as a U.S. Army Air Forces First Lieutenant and served during World War II. After the war he received an appointment to West Point and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1949. He retired in 1989 as a U.S. Army Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1980 – 1989
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General John Joseph Costa, United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as a Professor and Department Head at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, from 1980 to 1989.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1969
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) John Joseph Costa, United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from 1968 to 1969.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1973 – 1975
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) John Joseph Costa, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 1st Brigade, 8th Infantry Division, in Germany, from 1973 to 1975.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    508th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    82d Airborne Division
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Infantry) John Joseph Costa, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force. Lieutenant Colonel Costa distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 2d Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy in the Dominican Republic in 1965 and 1966. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Costa, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.